OTTAWA- Athletics Canada named earlier this week the 5 Canadian athletes who will wear the Maple Leaf the 2012 World Indoor Championships which take place in Istanbul, Turkey, March 9 - 11. Among the athletes named to the team is Michael Leblanc, New Brunswick’s fastest man, who will compete in the 60m. He will join Dylan Armstrong, the 2011 number one ranked shot putter in the world and World Championship silver medalist, Nikkita Holder (60m Hurdles), Justin Rodhe (Shot put) and Justyn Warner (60m).

Michael’s personal best time of 6.61 ranks him 30th in the world but since countries are limited to 2 entries per event he is ranked 20th in the entered athletes. The top rank athlete is Trell Kimmons of the United States who has run 6.45 this season

‘’Michael has had an exceptional season and we believe he has what it takes to make the final’’ commented Gabriel LeBlanc Technical Director of Athletics New Brunswick. ‘’ From there anything can happen in a world final so it will be interesting’ added LeBlanc.

Michael is the first New Brunswick athlete to compete at the World Indoors Championships his selection to team Canada is an important step in his preparation for him to reach the Olympic standards in the 100m later this spring and the hope of getting his ticket for the London Olympics this July.